Boronia Heights vs Forestdale, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Boronia Heights and Forestdale are both Logan City Council suburbs, sitting 24.3 km and 21.6 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Forestdale runs $502 a year cheaper than Boronia Heights, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,755.
Over 10 years, Forestdale costs about $5,800 less to run than Boronia Heights. That's about $11 a week.
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Forestdale
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Boronia Heights | Forestdale | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,699 | $1,699 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,149 | $2,149 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,912 | $5,510 | +$402 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,200 | $2,100 | +$100 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,400 | $2,600 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $11,960 | $11,458 | +$502 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,240 | $6,140 | +$100 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Boronia Heights | Forestdale | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,135 | $2,135 | - |
| Unit | $1,776 | $1,776 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for each suburb's electricity network, including supply charge (AER Default Market Offer caps, or the QCA price in regional Queensland; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown, Boronia Heights vs Forestdale (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Forestdale costs $502 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,755 in favour of Forestdale.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $402 per year. Boronia Heights is 24.3 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,240 and $6,140 a year, so the $502 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,699 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,149 a year.
- Driving commute favours Forestdale by $402 a year, $5,510 against $5,912.
- Building insurance favours Forestdale by $100 a year, $2,100 against $2,200.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is commute distance and the insurance band.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Boronia Heights cumulative | Forestdale cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,960 | $11,458 | $502 |
| Year 3 | $36,967 | $35,416 | $1,551 |
| Year 5 | $63,497 | $60,832 | $2,665 |
| Year 10 | $137,108 | $131,353 | $5,755 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Boronia Heights or Forestdale cheaper to live in?
Forestdale is cheaper to run by car at $11,458 per year versus $11,960 for Boronia Heights, a difference of $502 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Boronia Heights and Forestdale?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,699 in Boronia Heights (Logan City Council) and $1,699 in Forestdale (Logan City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,149 in Boronia Heights and $2,149 in Forestdale. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Boronia Heights and Forestdale?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,912 from Boronia Heights and $5,510 from Forestdale to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Boronia Heights and $192 from Forestdale.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Boronia Heights and Forestdale?
At 3% annual cost growth, Boronia Heights costs a cumulative $137,108 and Forestdale costs $131,353 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,755 in favour of Forestdale. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Boronia Heights and Forestdale suits you better?
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Sources: Logan City Council and Logan City Council rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.